Stone of the Month. Diamond!

What does the word “diamond” mean?

The word comes from the Greek word “adamas,” and this means “unconquerable and indestructible.”

What is the earliest record of a man giving a diamond to a woman for her hand in marriage?

In 1477 the Archduke of Austria gave a diamond to Mary of Burgundy. Today, some 500 years later, diamonds are the most popular gemstones in engagement rings.

On average, how old is a diamond?

They are some 3.4 billion years old.

In ancient times, what “powers” did people believe diamonds gave them?

Diamonds worn in ancient times were believed to promote strength, invincibility, and courage.

What are the “4Cs” of diamond grading?

They are cut, colour, clarity and carat. These 4Cs were created by the Gemological Institute of America to help standardise diamond grading worldwide.

More Diamond Facts

Diamonds were first formed billions of years ago some 100 miles beneath the earth’s surface through a process of tremendous pressure and temperatures of 2000 – 3000 degrees Fahrenheit. Volcanic activity brings diamond crystals much closer to the earth’s surface.

To produce a single one-carat diamond, 250 tons of earth will be mined.Gem-quality diamonds are made up from less than 20 percent of the diamonds mined worldwide.

The first written notation of precious diamonds dates back to around 500 B.C.

In their purest state, diamonds are brilliant and entirely colorless.

Diamonds are found in a variety of colors. Blue and pink diamonds are among the rarest, and yellow and brown as among the most common.

The diamond is the hardest natural substance found on the earth.

The diamond is rock hard and virtually fireproof. In order for a diamond to burn, it must be heated to one-thousand, two-hundred, and ninety-two degrees Fahrenheit.

In one-thousand polished diamonds, only one will weigh more than one carat.

Although the U.S. accounts for less than one-percent of total global gemstone productions, America buys more than half of the world’s total gem quality diamonds – accounting for the world’s largest diamond market.

Australia accounts for producing the most diamonds in volume.

The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the worlds only diamond mine open to the public – this is a dig-for-fee operation for tourists and rock enthusiasts.

Since as far back as 1906, there have been more than 70,000 diamonds discovered in The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas – this includes the 40.23 carat “Uncle Sam Diamond” – the largest diamond of its kind ever found in the U.S discovered in 1924.